Terrorism In Somalia: Al-Shabab Suicide Bomber Hugs Puntland Official Before Detonating

A suicide bomber detonated while hugging a local official Thursday in Somalia’s autonomous Puntland region. The blast that followed his lethal embrace blew both of them up, officials said. Islamic militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, Reuters reported.

“We killed Saeed Ali, the treasurer of Galkayo, and several police officers that were guarding him,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shabaab’s military operation spokesman, told the news agency.